Disclaimer: I own not Witchblade. I think it belongs to TNT, Top Cow productions, and various other people. But, hey, if you ever get tired of Gabriel and Ian, you could send them to me. J Seriously, though, own, I do not. I just like to play. Also, Athena is mine. Ask before borrowing, if you please.

Author's Notes: Okay. This is Xander and Athena's last case together. ::sigh:: I know most of you are just heart-broken. J After this, I don't know what's going to happen, but one of these days I'm going to just sit down and do major re-constructive surgery. Have patience. Until then…read, review, etc. Cheerio.

Flesh Wounds

Part One

"Make it fast."

"Bad mood?"

"Just woken up. Now talk."

"Murders. New York."

"And…?"

He began to describe them.

The Princess Athena pushed back her hair. "Two hours." She disconnected and dialed another number. "Hey, Xand? You up for New York?"

-------------------------

"Hey, Pez."

Sara Pezzini glanced up at her partner, Danny Woo. "What's up?"

"Captain's bringing in some outside help. No, he didn't say who," the Asian detective replied to her unasked question. "All he said was that they were good."

"Well, when are they coming?"

"He, uh, didn't say that, either."

"Not exactly a fountain of information, is he?"

Jake McCartey, rookie detective, popped his head into the office. "Hey, who's with the Captain, do either of you know?"

The two detectives glanced through their open doorway. "Not a clue," Danny answered. "Hope it's our help."

-------------------------

Inside the captain's office, Athena and Xander were sprawled in separate chairs. One leg crossed over the other, the girl absently played with his letter opener until he hung up. "So, why am I here, Captain?"

"We have a serial killer, but it's one right up your alley."

The girl raised a brow. "I'm assuming I have complete, and I do mean complete, authority?"

"Of course."

"What do the Feds have to say?"

"Nothing. They simply agreed."

Xander and Athena exchanged glances. "Be worried," they said simultaneously, smiling.

"Anyway," the girl continued, "I'll need to look at the bodies, speak to the detectives, etcetera. Have copies of the reports been made?"

"They were sent to your apartment."

"Brilliant. Who are the detectives?"

"Sara Pezzini and Danny Woo. You can see them from here."

Athena did not bother to turn her head. "Okay." The three stood, Athena and captain shaking hands. "Thanks."

"Believe me, I'm going to be the one thanking you. You're our last chance."

Merely nodding, she and the dark-haired teen exited the office.

-------------------------

"You've got to be kidding me," Danny and Jake muttered.

"Wha---" Sara started to say, but was cut off by a sharp pain shooting up her right arm. Reflexively grabbing her wrist, she noticed a figure coming out of the captain's office doing the same. Flashes assaulted her brain, of all of the past Wielders, always accompanied by a tall blonde, identical to the one she was watching.

"Pez?" Danny asked as if from a great distance. "Pez?!"

As quickly as it had started, the pain stopped, and the brunette detective took a deep breath. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."

"What just happened?" Jake demanded.

"Arthritis setting in?" She smiled, shrugging.

The rookie looked like he wanted to continue, but a knock sounded on the door to their office, stopping him.

The three glanced to see their captain's visitors, and a grin split Danny and Jake's face. "Hey," Danny said, taking her hands in his.

She smiled, moving forward to wrap him in a tight embrace. A type of relief passed over Danny's face as he stroked the back of her head, matched by the expression on Jake's face.

Meanwhile, Sara was studying the two newcomers. The girl was tall, leggy, and very beautiful with long blonde hair and porcelain skin. The guy looked young, even younger than Gabriel did…not that Gabriel was very young. The two were dressed alike in black jeans and turtlenecks with long trenchcoats. Her eyes fell on the blonde's right wrist, and a dark brow arched. No way in hell. Danny's friend wore an exact replica of the bracelet on Pezzini's wrist. The two were having a quiet conversation, and she smiled a bit before turning to Jake. "Hey, beach bum. You're actually wearing clothes. I'm impressed."

The Californian grinned, wrapping his arms around her in a brief hug. "And I'm a detective, too."

"Will wonders never cease," she mock-marveled. The guy with her suddenly stepped forward, a cell phone in his hand.

"'Thene…Australia."

Excusing herself, the girl stepped outside as Xander stuck out a hand. "Hey, I'm Alexander Harris, please call me Xander."

"Danny Woo, Sara Pezzini, Jake McCartey," Danny replied. "You two been working together long?"

"Uh, about…three years? This'll probably be our last case," Xander admitted, running a hand through his dark brown hair. "I think she's staying in New York while I trot back to Sunnydale, CA."

"I've never been up there," Jake commented. "What's it like?"

"The rest of California," Xander replied, with a strange smile.

"Danny, Jake," Sara interrupted. "How do you know this girl?"

Jake smiled. "She was one of my surfing instructors when I was a kid."

"And we're just old friends," Danny replied, grinning infuriatingly.

"Standard answer," Xander laughed. "Athena's collected quite a few 'old friends'."

Athena came back in. "Xander, go to my apartment and go through those reports."

"Gone," the teen replied, tossing them a mock-salute as he left.

Athena smiled to herself, then went on, "Jake, can you take me to the morgue? I need to look at those bodies."

"Not a problem."

The girl kissed Danny's cheek. "See ya, grasshopper. Kiss the family for me."

"Will do. Be careful."

"Always." She turned to Sara. "Nice to meet you, Detective. And nice bracelet." Giving her a secretive smile, she left with McCartey.

"What was that about?" Sara muttered to herself, too low for Danny to hear.

EAN: Review, and then go to Chapter Two! J Boy, I'm happy. Got to over that…